How to snorkel with manta rays responsibly

Reef manta rays are protected in Indonesia and listed as vulnerable. Nusa Penida's population is one of the most reliable in the world precisely because the animals have learned that boats and snorkelers are not a threat. Here is how we keep it that way.

The five rules

1. Enter the water quietly. No jumping or splashing near the animals.
2. Stay on the surface and stay still. Let the manta come to you. Frantic swimming pushes them away.
3. Keep three metres. Never touch — the mucus layer on a manta's skin protects it from infection.
4. Never block its path or swim directly in front of it, and never approach from above.
5. No flash, no drones, no chasing. Your guide will position the group where the mantas are heading, not where they are.

Why calm wins

A manta that feels safe will circle a group for ten minutes. A manta that is chased leaves in ten seconds. Every guide on our boats has seen both, which is why the briefing is not optional.

What the guide does

Your guide watches the animals' body language and moves the group so mantas pass close on their own terms. If you have a GoPro, hold it still at arm's length and let them come to the lens.